CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your
vehicle. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark, the
instrument cluster will sound a chime. When safe, pull
over and stop the vehicle with the engine at idle. Turn
off the air conditioning and wait until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the H (red) mark for more than a minute,
turn the engine off immediately and call for service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transmission oil
may become too hot.
If this happens, the transmission overheat in-
dicator light will come on, and the vehicle will
slow slightly until the automatic transmission
cools down enough to allow a return to the
requested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating may reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.
436 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.Cooling System
WARNING!
• When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
• You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had
time to cool. Never try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 491
NOTE:
•Some vehicles require special tools to add coolant
properly. Failure to fill these systems properly could
lead to severe internal engine damage. If any coolant is
needed to be added to the system please contact your
local authorized dealer.
• Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types is not recom-
mended and can result in cooling system damage. If
HOAT and OAT coolant are mixed in an emergency,
have a authorized dealer drain, flush, and refill with
OAT coolant (conforming to MS-12106) as soon as
possible.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle. The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•
The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add engine coolant (antifreeze) when the
engine is overheated. Do not loosen or remove the
cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat causes
pressure to build up in the cooling system. To
prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
• Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 495
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child or pet, seek
emergency assistance immediately. Clean up any ground
spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in the
bottle should be between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines
shown on the bottle.The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
the coolant freeze point or replacing the engine coolant
(antifreeze). Advise your service attendant of this. As
long as the engine operating temperature is satisfactory,
the coolant bottle need only be checked once a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
496 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Fluid and Filter Changes..................502
Fluid Level Check ...................... .501
Fluid Type ........................... .500
Gear Ranges .......................... .329
Special Additives ...................... .501
Autostick .............................. .341
Battery ................................ .483
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........25
Belts, Seat ...............................98
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................487
B-Pillar Location ......................... .381
Brake Assist System ...................... .364
Brake Fluid ............................ .523
Brake, Parking .......................... .357
Brakes ................................ .359
Brake System ........................... .359
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... .360
Master Cylinder ....................... .498Parking
............................. .357
Warning Light ........................ .217
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................328
Bulb Replacement ........................ .517
Bulbs, Light ............................ .100
Calibration, Compass ..................... .241
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..........521
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .521
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .413
Oil (Engine) .......................... .473
Power Steering ........................ .356
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................495
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...................97
Cargo Area Cover ........................ .200
Cargo Area Features ...................... .199
Cargo Compartment ...................... .199
Light ............................... .199
10
INDEX 547
Console............................... .197
Contract, Service ......................... .538
Coolant (Antifreeze) ...................... .521
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........495
Cooling System .......................... .491
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............494
Coolant Level ......................... .492
Disposal of Used Coolant .................496
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................492
Inspection ........................... .496
Points to Remember .....................496
Pressure Cap ......................... .495
Radiator Cap ......................... .495
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............493
Corrosion Protection ...................... .506
Cruise Light ............................ .221
Cupholders ............................ .197
Customer Assistance ...................... .535Data Recorder, Event
.......................75
Dealer Service ........................... .478
Defroster, Rear Window .....................206
Defroster, Windshield .......................98
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................171
Diagnostic System, Onboard .................475
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................167
Dipsticks Power Steering ........................ .356
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................496
Door Locks Child-Protection Door Lock — Rear Doors ......34
Door Locks ............................30
KeyFob...............................30
Remote ...............................30
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................30
Door Locks, Automatic ......................32
Door Opener, Garage ...................... .177
10
INDEX 549
Radial Ply Tires......................... .389
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ...........495
Radio Operation ......................... .243
Radio (Sound Systems) .....................243
Rear Axle (Differential) .....................505
Rear Drive Assembly ...................... .505
Rear Liftgate (Sedan) .......................38
Rear Seat, Folding ........................ .160
Rearview Mirrors ........................ .106
Rear Window Defroster .....................206
Rear Window Features .....................204
Rear Wiper/Washer ....................... .204
Recorder, Event Data .......................75
Recreational Towing ...................... .431
Reformulated Gasoline .....................409
Refrigerant ............................. .485
Reminder, Seat Belt .........................59
Remote Control Door Locks ............................20 Security Alarm
..........................18
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) FCC General Information ..................26
Remote Keyless Entry (Sedan) .................20
Remote Starting System ......................26
Replacement Bulbs ....................... .517
Replacement Keys .........................16
Replacement Parts ........................ .477
Replacement Tires ........................ .395
Reporting Safety Defects ....................539
Restraint, Head .......................... .156
Restraints, Child ...........................76
Retractable Cargo Area Cover ................200
Roll Over Warning ..........................4
Roof Type Carrier ........................ .207
Rotation, Tires .......................... .397
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ..................98
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ................100
558 INDEX